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The French Revolution

The French Revolution. REVIEW. Causes: Colonists did not receive rights they were entitled to; Forced to pay taxes they disagreed with Enlightenment writers spoke of equality & independence based on reason

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The French Revolution

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  1. The French Revolution

  2. REVIEW • Causes: Colonists did not receive rights they were entitled to; Forced to pay taxes they disagreed with • Enlightenment writers spoke of equality & independence based on reason • Constitution created government with power divided between state & national, then further divided between branches • Ultimate power was with citizens

  3. ESSENTIAL QUESTION

  4. Political Causes • Changes in society were needed • Classes divided into 3 groups called estates • 1st Estate: Priests & Church officials; Paid no taxes • 2nd Estate: Nobles; Special Privileges: Low taxes, Collected feudal dues • 3rd Estate: Largest; Commoners: Bourgeoise (Merchants, Professionals, Shopkeepers), Urban Workers, Peasants

  5. Historical Causes • Tax rates based on social class & location • Towns taxed each others goods, which hurt trade • King sold rights to collect certain taxes, so government couldn’t collect taxes efficiently • Many saw this as unfair • Borrowed money to pay for wars

  6. Historical Causes • High cost of assisting colonists caused financial crisis • Government asked nobles to surrender privileges to help pay off debt • Nobles told government they must hold Estate General (meeting where each estate represented)

  7. Enlightenment • Many unwilling to accept divine rights, & privilege positions of clergy & nobles • Bourgeoise & some nobles/clergy felt this way • Underground press criticized king and queen

  8. Major Figures • Abbe Sieyes – Enlightenment Thinker • Only 3rd Estate was productive & useful • Called nobles & clergy parasites • Robespierre – Leader of Committee of Public Safety • Used terror to rule France • Executed when Convention turned on leaders

  9. National Assembly • 3rd Estate: Most representatives, largest group • Declared themselves a National Assembly when General Estate met • Abolished privileges of nobles & confiscated church land to pay off debts

  10. National Documents • Declaration of Rights of Man • Issued by National Assembly • Power rested on consent of the people • All Frenchmen were free & equal • Constitution created, made France a constitutional monarchy (king’s power shared with legislature)

  11. Poor Harvest (1789) • People of Paris starving, hold King hostage • Monarchy overthrown, France becomes a republic (no king, people elect representatives) • Convention (single chamber legislature) elected

  12. Reign of Terror • French Republic seen as threat by other Europeans • Parts of France still in open rebellion • Committee of Public Safety takes power • Used savage oppression to stop rebellion • Government arrested anyone they wanted • Executions numbered as high as 40,000

  13. Foreign War • Introduced mass conscription (all males required to serve in army) to defend France • Large army was successful, threat ended • Convention turned against its leaders • Robespierre & followers executed • Power returns to moderates

  14. Impact • Challenged idea of divine right & privileges of nobles • Removed feudal restrictions, cleared way for capitalism • Power shifted from king to bourgeois • Served as model for citizens in other countries seeking political change

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